A. Chris Bergquist

IRONWOOD TOWNSHIP, Mich. - Arthur Christian Bergquist, 77, of Ironwood Township, passed away Monday, March 23, 2020, at Aspirus Ironwood Hospital.

Chris, a son of George and Gertrude (Trier) Bergquist, was born Nov. 29, 1942, in Ironwood.

On Nov. 30, 1963, he was united in marriage to Sonia Anne Caruso at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church.

Chris is survived by his beloved wife of 57 years, Sonia; his pride and joy, his daughter, Christian; his brothers, Nik (Judy), George (Shirley Pertile), Robert (Judy), Jon (Bobbie) and Karl (Carole); his loving sister, Merrie Gaye Giannunzio; his special friends, Gene and Gail Clemens, Sandy Nyman and Linda Gembolis; his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Judy Caruso, Rick (Rose) Caruso, Dennis (Lauren) Caruso, Eric (April) Caruso and Lisa Fruik; and many dear nieces and nephews.

Preceding him in death was his son, A. Chris Bergquist Jr .; his parents; his godson, J.R. Bergquist; his brother, G.I .; his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Mary (Caruso) and Stan Zasadni; and his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Joanne Bergquist, Louis and Susie Caruso, Sam Caruso and Domenic and Sue Caruso.

Chris proudly served in the Wisconsin National Guard from 1961 to 1963. Working beside his wife for 37 years, they owned and operated Handsome Prints.

Always active in his community, he served as president of the Ironwood Area Jaycees and was named one of the top 10 Jaycee presidents in the state of Michigan. Along with his fellow Jaycees, they brought the Michigan State Convention of Jaycees to the Upper Peninsula for the first time. Chris was named the 1995 Citizen of the Year by the Ironwood Area Chamber of Commerce.

As an active member of the Ironwood Chamber of Commerce, he and Curt Isaacson served as co-chairmen of the Chamber event that is now known as Festival Ironwood in conjunction with the Jaycees and Klassic Kruisers Car Club.

His community involvements included on and off stage participation with Theatre North and the Gogebic Range Players/Ironwood Theatre. He was a supportive member of the Klassic Kruisers Car Club.

A kind and giving man, Chris loved his family, his town, the area he lived in and the people he volunteered with and met along the way.

The family would like to thank the staff at Aspirus Ironwood Hospital for their wonderful and compassionate care in Chris' last hours.

Due to the current situation with COVID-19, a celebration of his life will be held at a later date.

In honor of Chris' memory, donations can be made to HOPE Animal Shelter, P.O. Box 261, Ironwood, MI 49938.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Jerald Rocco, owner and manager of Lakeside Memorial Chapel Inc., in Wakefield. Condolences may be expressed online at lakesidememorialchapel.com.